Follow block



June Z4, 1941. y|= ZALKlND 2,246,967

FOLLOW BLOCK 4 Original Filed Feb. l, 1956 Jrmentor Philip ZalKm Gttomeg Patented June 24, 1941 Original application February 1, 1936, Serial No. 61,859. Divided and this application October 12, 1938, Serial No. 234,529

1 Claim.

My invention relates to a novel follower, and more particularly, relates to a follower for use with collapsible containers.

This application is a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 61,859, filed February 1, 1936, since matured into Patent No. 2,186,947, dated January 16, 1940, and a continuation-inpart of my copending application Serial No. 693,841, covering containers and parts therefor, filed October 16, 1933, since matured into Patent No. 2,233,906, dated March 4, 1941, in which is claimed certain structural features relating to a collapsible container.

The use of a follower in filing containers is well known in the art. However, the use of such followers hasl been confined to relatively expensive casings adapted to be delivered in set up condition. In such containers various means are available for retaining the follower in position. Such means are not available in a collapsible file drawer constructed of sheet material and folded along score lines for shipment.

The object of my invention is to provide novel follow blocks that are particularly adapted for use with collapsible file drawers. By my novel construction, I provide means for supporting the follower in a drawer, and means for retaining the follower in proper position within the drawer. Further objects of my invention are thus to provide a follower with novel retaining means. A further object of my invention is to provide a follower of simple construction and low manufacturing costs and at'the same time one which may be shipped-with a container in collapsed condition and which willtake no appreciable space in the package.

'I'here are other objects of my invention which together with the foregoing will appear in the detailed description following in connection with the drawing in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of my follower in which the follower is retained in position by a metallic reinforcing structure on the bottom of the follower.

Figure 2 is a perspective View, partly broken away, showing my follower in position in a collapsible drawer.

Referring now more specifically to Figure 1,` I have disclosed one form of my follower. In

Figure 2. Metal edge 2 secured to the blank I protrudes from the edges as shown, a sufficient distance so that it is seated on the upper edge of the side walls of the drawer. The lower reinforcing member 3 is provided with the pointed ends 4 which seat themselves between the lower edges of the side walls and the bottom of the drawer.

In Figure 2, wherein my follower is illustrated in conjunction with a drawer, I have shown a form of collapsible drawer of sheet material which may be manually folded on score lines so that it may be stored or shipped in collapsed condition. Such a form of drawer is shown in my copending application Serial No. 631,682, filed September 3, 1932, and in my U. S. Patent No. 1, 946,516, dated February 13, 1934, and which matured kfrom application Serial No. 631,682.

It will be obvious that, since the drawer described in said application and patent is intended to be made of sheet or fiber material, the material of such drawer will be slightly flexible and elastic.

Referring now to Figure 2, the rear portion of one of the. embodiments of a drawer in combination with which my follow block is intended to be used is shown. This drawer, has an end wall I4, tongues 9 and I3 extending from said end wall, outer side walls IIJ and inner side walls II as an integral extension of said outer side walls and being united therewith along predetermined fold lines I2 about which said inner walls I I may be manually folded to be adjacent to said outer walls I0, and which may be held in position in a suitable manner. Since the material at the fold lines I2 has elasticity by reason of the nature of the material, the inner walls I I will tend to move inward into the drawer. Also since the inner flap II is held only at the ends thereof adjacent to the end walls, there is nothing in the drawer structure itself which inhibits the slight inward bulging of the inner flap at its center and at other intermediate points not adjacent to the end walls. It will thus be obvious that a follow block I of the form described will, in addition to other means which may be provided, be held in place by the slight bulge or inward movement of the inner walls, particularly if the width of such follow block is only slightly less than the distance between the two inner walls II, II when such walls lie against the tongues 9 and I3 and their outer walls I0.

It will be obvious that other forms of follow blocks come within the spirit of my invention; and although, in illustrating my invention, I have shown certain applications thereof, it will be obvious that there are many other uses, and that the parts may be modified without departing from the spirit of my description. Accordingly, I do not wish to be limited by this description, but only by the appended claim.

I claim: K

A follow block for a drawer, said follow block comprising a blank of sheet material somewhat the top edge of said blank, said reinforcing member being somewhat wider than the inner Width of the drawer with which it is associated; and means secured to said blank adapted to cooperate with the sides of said drawer to position said follower in said drawer, said means including a metallic reinforcing member secured to thebottom edge of said follow block, said last named metallic reinforcing member being provided with pointed ends adapted to engage the side Walls of the drawer.

PHILIP ZALKIND. 

